Private John Bunce Lewis

[Glynnau]

In researching my family tree i came across my aunts birth certificate and it showed her fathers "Rank or Profession" to be to be when she was born on 3rd May 1915, Private 13th Royal Welsh Fusiliers #2425. Her fathers full name is John Bunce Lewis and he was born on 15th November 1886. Was wondering if anyone had any ideas of how i could find out more about his service with the Fusiliers.

Thanks Glynn Lewis

[Baconwallah]

Bit of a mystery, Glynn. The number 2425 sounds like a Territorial Force number, while the 13th was a Kitchener battalion raised after the war broke out. There is no record of a man with this number going overseas.

The only John B Lewis I can find in the Royal Welch Fusiliers is 72186 John B Lewis, later transferred to the Labour Corps and renumbered 632793. He was discharged medically unfit (sickness) 25/10/1919. His enlistment date is given as 09/12/1915, so he may have enlisted with one of the Territorial RWF battalions (but not the 4th, which had reached higher numbers by then), being renumbered in the Regular series before his posting overseas to the 13th Bn in France, late 1917 or early 1918.

I could not find his service or pension records. They were probably destroyed in the Blitz.

The adventures of the 13th Bn are described in the Regimental Records of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Vol. III. You can buy it from the Regimental Museum, but I am sure your local library will also be able to find and lend you a copy.

Hope this helps.

John

[Hywyn]

Glynn

2425 in 6th RWF was Charles Wyatt Warren of Caernarfon.
2425 in 5th RWF was George Glynne Davies of Tryddyn.

This leaves 4th and 7th. That number in 4th Battalion(Denbighshire) is way before 1908. Re 7th Bn (Merioneth & Montgomery) numbers around it suggests Merioneth
Where was he from/wartime addresses?

Hywyn

[Glynnau]

Thanks for the quick replies.

He would have joined up from Manchester as he lived there before and after and his wife was living there while he was in the Fusiliers

Thanks

Glynn

[Hywyn]

Found him now Glynn
He is 24253 and has some papers in 'Pension' on An**try

I need to go out now. Have you access to them?

Hywyn

[Baconwallah]

Well done, Hywyn!

Got him now. John Lewis 24253, grinder, 28 Butler Street, Manchester. No wonder I couldn't find him in the MICs, as his war lasted just four days. He enlisted 15/06/1915 and was discharged medically unfit (varicose veins, one leg shorter than the other) 19/06/1915.

John

[ivor43]

wow that is remarkable. must be one of the shortest on record. amazing.

[Hywyn]

wow that is remarkable. must be one of the shortest on record. amazing.

Ivor

Quite a few lasted a matter of days. This was because they went through the recruiting medical pdq only to hit a more thorough medical later on.


Glynn

John Lewis attested on 22nd or 25th May 1915 and was posted to 13th Bn 15th June. Yet he is on Gladys' birth cert, born 3rd May. I'm hoping that you have the Certificate and can say that the actual birth registration was after 22nd May.

Hywyn

[Glynnau]

Hi

I do have a copy of Glady's original birth certificate, her birth was registered on the 8th of June 1915. I do have access to An***** but it is playing up a bit at the moment will try to download the pages and see if i can clean them up a bit, my father would love to read them.

Thanks again all

Glynn

[Hywyn]

Thanks Glynn

It goes to help when we try and determine the dates numbers were allocated.

I see he had previous military service in the "5th Ardwick" Volunteers.
He might have papers on Findmypast. (he doesn't seem to use the Bunce bit in official records?)

This might help
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries/mom/history/riflevolunteer

and there are some really helpful people on the Manc Forum you may want to consider if pursuing this angle

http://www.themanchesters.org/indexold.html


I hasten to add that I don't know if the Ardwick Volunteers and Manchester Regiment are connected. You'll soon get told if not. A bit like someone asking about the Welsh Regiment here! :-)

Hywyn